TEXAS CTE LESSON PLAN

www.txcte.org

Lesson Identification and TEKS Addressed

Career Cluster Law, Public Safety, Corrections & Security

Course Name Forensic Science

Lesson/Unit Title Questioned Documents

TEKS Student 130.339. (c) Knowledge and Skills

Expectations
(3) The student uses scientific methods and equipment during
laboratory and field investigations.
(G) The student is expected to analyze, evaluate, make
inferences, and predict trends from data and
(H) The student is expected to communicate valid conclusions
supported by the data through methods such as investigative
reports, lab reports, labeled drawings, graphic organizers,
journals, summaries, oral reports, and technology-based
reports.
(4) The student uses critical thinking, scientific reasoning, and
problem solving to make informed decisions within and outside the
classroom.
(A) The student is expected to analyze, evaluate, and critique
scientific explanations by using empirical evidence, logical
reasoning, and experimental and observational testing,
including examining all sides of scientific evidence of those
scientific explanations, to encourage critical thinking
(B) The student is expected to communicate and apply
scientific information extracted from various sources such as
current events, news reports, published journal articles, and
marketing materials
(C) The student is expected to draw inferences based on data
related to criminal investigation
(D) The student is expected to evaluate the impact of scientific
research on criminal investigation, society, and the
environment
(E) The student is expected to evaluate models according to
their limitations in representing biological objects or events and
(F) The student is expected to research and describe the
history of science and contributions of scientists within the
criminal justice system.
* Special Education Modifications or Accommodations, if applicable
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(Includes Special Education Modifications/Accommodations and
one English Language Proficiency Standards (ELPS) Strategy)
Instructional Objectives
Rationale
Duration of Lesson
Word Wall/Key
Vocabulary
(ELPS c1a,c,f; c2b; c3a,b,d;
c4c; c5b) PDAS II(5)
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(6) The student recognizes the procedures of evidence collection while
maintaining the integrity of a crime scene.
(C) The student is expected to conduct a systematic search of
a simulated crime scene for physical evidence following crime
scene search patterns such as spiral, line, grid, and strip
(D) The student is expected to apply knowledge of the
elements of criminal law that guide search and seizure of
persons, property, and evidence
(G) The student is expected to outline the chain of custody
procedure for evidence discovered in a crime scene and
(H) The student is expected to demonstrate proper techniques
for collecting, packaging, and preserving physical evidence
found at a crime scene.
(7)(A) The student is expected to demonstrate how to process trace
evidence such as glass, paint, fibers, hair, soil, grass, and blood
collected in a simulated crime scene.
Basic Direct Teach Lesson
The student will be able to:
1. Determine what a questioned document is and identify examples of it.
2. Analyze handwriting and identify its individual characteristics.
3. Identify what FISH is and its importance.
4. Recognize different types of altered documents and the
techniques used to analyze them.
5. Apply knowledge that ink is a mixture and be able to demonstrate
its components.
6. Apply knowledge of forgeries to real life cases.
7. Differentiate between known and manufactured materials, such as
forgeries and counterfeits
Document examination is a well-respected field of scientific study. Crimes
such as forgeries and counterfeiting are on the rise. As these increases so
does the need for the field of questioned documents. This field allows us to
analyze handwriting, forgeries, typescript documents, and counterfeits,
which makes it essential to forensic science.
Questioned Document – any document about which some issue has
been raised or that is the subject of an investigation
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Materials/Specialized
Equipment Needed
Anticipatory Set
(May include pre-
assessment for prior
knowledge)
Direct Instruction *
* Special Education Modifications or Accommodations, if applicable
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Materials
 Questioned Documents computer-based presentation
 Characteristics of Handwriting Lab
– Characteristics of Handwriting lab handout
– Characteristics Table handout
– Magnifying Glasses
– Black Pens
– Lined Notebook Paper
 Forgery Handwriting Lab
– Forgery Handwriting lab handout
– Signatures handout (one per group)
– Scissors (one per group) Magnifying Glasses
 Ink Chromatography Lab
– Ink Chromatography Lab handout
– Ink Chromatography Data handout
– Filter paper (can be coffee filters, paper towels or
chromatography paper)
– Water
– Beakers or cups
– Pencils
– Rulers
– Ransom Note (written by teacher; wording is provided on the
handout)
– 4 different black markers
 Documents and Forgery Assignment
– Documents and Forgery Assignment handout
– The Internet and/or books
– Computer-based presentation software
 Posters and markers
 Black ink pen
 Questioned Documents Exam and Key
 Discussion Rubric
 Individual Work Rubric
 Presentation Rubric
 Research Rubric
 Writing Rubric
Do an Internet search for the following article: Ted Kaczynski: The
Unabomber by Ted Ottley. Use the article for a class discussion. Discuss the
role the letter that the Unabomber mailed to the New York Times played in
catching Ted Kaczynski. Use the Discussion Rubric for assessment.
1. Questioned Document – any document about which some issue has
been raised or that is the subject of an investigation
2. Document Examiners
a. Mostly examine handwriting to originate its source or its
authenticity
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 b. Will also examine typed writings, computer printings,
photocopies, inks, papers, and forgeries, and decode altered
and charred documents
c. May need to use microscopes, photographs, chromatography,
and other lab examinations on the questioned documents
d. Many work in federal, local, and state crime labs, but they may
also work in private practices
3. Handwriting
a. General Information
i. Two different individuals’ handwriting cannot be
identical
ii. Since handwriting is associated with mechanical,
physical, a mental function, it is almost impossible to
reproduce exactly
iii. Handwriting can be almost as individual as a person’s
fingerprint
b. Examining and Comparing
i. A positive comparison must be based on an ample
number of common characteristics between known and
questioned writings
ii. Collecting a lot of exemplars (known writing) is critical
in order to make a comparison
iii. Exemplars should contain some of the same words or
combinations of letters that are present in the
questioned document
iv. Forensic Information System of Handwriting (FISH)
database
1. If the document is a part of a high-profile case
or is suspected to be written by a repeat
offender, the document may be scanned into
the FISH database
2. This database is maintained by the U.S. Secret
Service
3. It can provide a list of “hits” based on
mathematical values calculated from the
scanned images, but a document examiner
makes the final confirmation or elimination
v. To determine whether the handwriting on the
document is authentic, the examiner will generally
examine the following twelve factors:
1. Average amount of space between words and
letters
2. Relative height, width, and size of letters

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 a. Height of the letters, including a
comparison of the height of uppercase to
lowercase letters
b. Width of the letters and the space
between the letters and the words
c. Size of the letters relative to the
available space
3. Line quality – observing if the lines are smooth,
free-flowing, or shaky and wavering
4. Connecting strokes – comparing the strokes
between upper and lower-case letters, and the
strokes between the letters and the words
5. Beginning and ending strokes – observing how
the writer begins and ends words, numbers, and
letters
6. Pen lifts and separations
a. How the writer stops to begin new letters
and words
b. Forgeries may have lifts or separations in
unusual places, such as within a letter
7. Shading and pen pressure – differing amounts
of pressure used by the writer, that make lines
light, dark, narrow, or wide
8. Baseline habits – analyzing if the writer’s letters
stay straight or move up and down compared to
the baseline
9. Slant – analyzing the writing slant: left, right or
straight
10. Unusual letter formation – such as letters with
tails or letters written backwards
11. Flourishes or embellishments – any fancy letters,
curls, loops, circles, etc.
12. Letter characteristics
a. Completeness of closed characters such
as, o, e, and a
b. Dotting of i and j, and crossing of t
c. Factors that can affect handwriting samples
i. Types of writing instrument (pens, pencils, crayons,
etc.)
ii. Types of writing surface (paper, wall, napkin, etc.)
iii. Underlining surface (smooth or rough)
iv. Mood of the writer (happy, depressed, angry, etc.)
v. Age of the writer (undeveloped or shaky handwriting)
vi. Writing speed (slow or quick)

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 vii. Position of the writer (sitting or standing)
viii. Position of the document (flat, vertical, or horizontal
surface)
ix. Environmental exposure (temperature, humidity, etc.)
x. Other factors
1. Consumption of alcohol and/or drugs
2. Injury and/or illness
4. Typescript Comparisons
a. Typescript is the result of machine-created documents, such as
those created by computer printers, photocopiers, fax
machines, and typewriters
b. Defects, missing pieces, or scratches may help to identify the
machine where the document originated
i. Computer printers – identifying the kind of ink and
toner can reduce the number of suspected printers
used
ii. Photocopiers
1. The debris on the glass or the mechanical
portions can form distinctive patterns
2. These marks can change over time and may
help date the document
iii. Fax machines have a header on each page known as
the TTI (transmitting terminal identifier) that helps
identify the origin of the fax
iv. Typewriters
1. Wear and defects in the typeface, misalignment
of characters, and the ribbon can narrow down
the search to the original typewriter
2. The Haas Atlas is a catalog that is organized by
typewriter name and includes font,
manufacturer information, serial numbers, etc.
5. Altered Documents
a. Documents are often altered after they have been prepared.
This is sometimes done to hide their original content or create
a forgery
i. Additions
1. Adding content to an already prepared
document
2. Infrared luminescence
a. Emits infrared light when exposed to
blue-green light
b. Can be used to get results if a different
ink is used
ii. Erasures

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 1. One of the most common alterations of
documents
2. A rubber eraser, sandpaper, razor blade, or knife
may be scratched against the paper’s surface in
an attempt to remove writing or type
3. This irritates the top fibers of the paper which
are visible under a microscope
iii. Obliterations
1. A document may have parts that are blotted or
smeared, making the original unreadable
2. This is usually done with strong oxidizing agents
to make the ink become colorless
3. This is not visible to the naked eye, but can be
seen with microscopes, or ultraviolet or infrared
lighting
iv. Charred Documents
1. Sometimes documents are accidently or
purposely charred in a fire
2. Infrared photography or reflecting light at
different
6. Other Document Challenges
a. Indentations
i. Most of the time an indented impression is left on a
paper below the primary writing
ii. The best way to read the impression is by using an
ESDA (electrostatic detection apparatus)
1. This charges the paper
2. Pouring toner powder over the charged paper
develops the images on the indented paper
b. Paper
i. To identify paper, scientists may use the following
characteristics
1. Color
2. Density
3. Watermarks
4. Dyes or bleaches
5. Fluorescence under UV light
6. Raw material the paper is made from
7. Thickness
c. Ink
i. Considered a mixture, so it can be broken down into
the different chemical components using the following
lab tests
1. Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC)

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 2. A visible microspectrophotometer
ii. Studying the chemical composition can sometimes
determine
1. If a certain pen was used on a questioned
document
2. How long the ink has been on the paper
d. Physical/Fracture Match of separated documents – usually
these documents are cut or torn and can be linked to the
original source
7. Examples of Questioned Documents
a. Checks
b. Licenses and Certificates
c. Passports
d. (Counterfeit) Money
e. Receipts
f. Lottery tickets
g. Historical documents
h. Ransom and suicide notes
8. Forgery
a. An item prepared with the intent to deceive
b. Types
i. Blind forgery – made without a model of the signature
or the writing being forged
ii. Simulated forgery – one made by copying a genuine
signature
iii. Traced forgery – one made by tracing a genuine
signature
9. Counterfeit
a. Made in exact imitation of something important or valuable
with the intention of deceit
b. Columbia
i. The leading manufacturer of counterfeit U.S. currency
ii. This counterfeit production supports their growing drug
cartel
c. The U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing has established
some anti-counterfeiting security features including
i. Watermarks – distinct images or designs put into paper
during the paper-making process
ii. Color-shifting inks – ink that looks like different colors
depending on the angle at which they are viewed (i.e.,
the number 50 on a $50 bill looks copper from one
angle and green from another)

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 iii. Fine-line printing and microprinting – makes it difficult
to achieve a high-quality reproduction with copying or
scanning
iv. Enlarged, off-center portraits – provide room for the
watermark and reduce wear on the portrait caused by
folding
v. Poor vision feature – the larger number on the back of
bills is to help aid people with poor vision
vi. Denomination-specific security thread
1. UV fluorescent ribbon running through the bill
2. Guards against reprinting and bleaching
d. Counterfeit detection pen – a security feature that businesses
use to help eliminate receiving counterfeit bills
i. The pen contains iodine and when it is used on a
counterfeit bill it produces a blue-black color
ii. When used on an authentic bill, it produces a pale-
yellow color that fades over time

Individualized Education Plan (IEP) for all special education students must be
followed. Examples of accommodations may include, but are not limited to:
none

Guided Practice *
1. Characteristics of Handwriting Lab. Have each student write a sample
paragraph in his or her own handwriting and then analyze it using the
twelve characteristics document examiners use in the field. Have each
student use a Characteristics of Handwriting Lab, a Characteristics Table
handout, magnifying glass, pen, and lined paper. See the lab handouts
for more details. Use the Individual Work Rubric for assessment.

2. Forgery Handwriting Lab. Have students complete this lab with a partner.
Have each student write his or her own authentic signature and then try
to create a blind, a traced, and a simulated forgery of their partner’s.
Have the partners try to determine the forgeries in another group’s
signatures. Each student will need a Forgery Handwriting Lab handout, a
magnifying glass, and a black pen. Each group will need a pair of scissors
and the Signatures handout. Use the Individual Work Rubric for
assessment.

3. Ink Chromatography Lab. Have students complete this lab in groups. Have
the groups test known black markers using chromatography. Then have
them test an unknown sample on a ransom note and compare it to the
known samples to solve the case. You will need 4 different black markers
for this lab. Write the ransom note on paper with one of the markers. The
ransom note wording and other details are on the lab handouts (Note:
write one ransom note for each class that participates in the lab). Each
group will need the Ink Chromatography Lab handout, Ink
Chromatography Data handout, filter paper, water, 5 beakers or cups,
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Independent
Practice/Laboratory
Experience/Differentiat
ed Activities *
Lesson Closure
Summative/End of
Lesson Assessment *
References/Resources/
Teacher Preparation
English Language
Proficiency Standards
(ELPS) Strategies
* Special Education Modifications or Accommodations, if applicable
Copyright © Texas Education Agency 2017. All rights reserved
scissors, pencils, ruler, and a strip from the ransom note. You can share
the 4 different black markers as a class or have 4 per group. See the lab
handouts for more details. Use the Individual Work Rubric for assessment.
4. Documents and Forgery Assignment. Have students complete this
assignment in groups. Have the groups research information online
and/or in books; put their research in a computer-based presentation;
and present it to the class. Each group will need the Documents and
Forgery Assignment handout, access to the Internet, and books. Use the
Research Rubric and the Presentation Rubric for assessment.
Note: All labs are guided and can vary from class to class. Assess them based
on accuracy, details, and questions answered based on their results. This
should be done at the teacher’s discretion
Individualized Education Plan (IEP) for all special education students must be
followed. Examples of accommodations may include, but are not limited to:
none
Individualized Education Plan (IEP) for all special education students must be
followed. Examples of accommodations may include, but are not limited to:
none
Individualized Education Plan (IEP) for all special education students must be
followed. Examples of accommodations may include, but are not limited to:
none
American Society of Questioned Document Examiners www.asqde.org
Deslich, Barbara, and John Funkhouser. Forensic Science for High School.
Dubuque, IA: Kendall/Hunt, 2006.
Saferstein, Richard. Forensic Science: An Introduction. Upper Saddle River,
NJ: Prentice Hall, 2008.
Texas Education Agency, Forensic Certification Training: Module 9, Sam
Houston State University
Do an Internet search for the following: Ted Kaczynski: The Unabomber
by Ted Ottley
Additional Required Components
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 Science Standards
College and Career
III. Foundation Skills: Scientific Applications of
Readiness Connection1
Communication
a. Research skills/information literacy
i. Use search engines, databases, and other digital
electronic tools effectively to locate information.
Recommended Strategies

Reading Strategies

Quotes
Multimedia/Visual
Strategy
Presentation Slides +
One Additional
Technology Connection
Graphic
Organizers/Handout

Writing Strategies
Journal Entries + 1
Additional Writing
Strategy

Communication
90 Second Speech
Topics

Other Essential Lesson Components

Enrichment Activity
(e.g., homework
assignment)
Family/Community
Connection

CTSO connection(s) SkillsUSA

Service Learning
Projects

1
Visit the Texas College and Career Readiness Standards at
http://www.thecb.state.tx.us/collegereadiness/CRS.pdf, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
(THECB), 2009.
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